Real Estate Blog - Blogger Startup Kit

Home : Blogs : Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager : Active Brads Blog

Blogger Startup Kit

When you first heard the word "Blog" you were probably just like the rest of us. Not sure, confused, and maybe even uncomfortable with the whole idea and concept. My guess is that you still are if you've opened this post and you're still reading it.

Here is a Starter Kit with everything you need to know, for your Blogging and Blogosphere survival. If you are new to Blogging (less than 3 months or so) this is the post for you. Here is the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of Blogging, which is the newest and most exciting way for social networking in the World...and it's FREE!

Your Starter Kit Includes The Following:

Here are the TOP 100 Most Subscribed Bloggers on the Active Rain Network. Almost 50,000 members strong, but these are the 100 that most readers subscribe to. If you view and learn from these Bloggers, you can shave years off the learning process. This is where I have learned so much, and you can too! Who should Blog? You! That's why you signed up isn't it?

ActiveRain Networking

Top 5 secrets of successful blogs and how yours can be one of them

ActiveRain Community Resources - Updated 05/18/07

So what is a Blog? What should you Blog about? Here's what the experts have to say. No chance of writers block with this available to you. Here 's 101 ideas to write about on your Blog - compliments of the Real Estate Tomato. If that isn't enough for you, CLICK HERE to be blown away! There are more ideas and content here than you could ever write about.

What should I write next? The Ultimate Guide to Ideas for Your Next Blog

What Kind of Blogger Are You? Blogphobics, Come On Out and Play

The Top Ten 4-Letter Words of Real Estate Blogging

When should you Blog? It varies for most, but I use the hours of 6-7am and or 10-12pm. Post in the mornings and comment at night. This way it doesn't interfere with my daily obligations and commitments. You will have to decide when and how much time you want to put into it. Here's my analogy. If you practiced piano for 1/2 hour and only once each month, that's 12 practices a year totaling 6 hours of overall rehearsal. Now if you practice for a 1/2 hour each day, within two weeks, you'll be better than the one who practiced all year!! I see you're catching on. :-) You'll find your way, just get started! Finish this post, read the links, then just go post.

Welcome Active Rain Newbies: Read Me First

Active Rain of course, but also get connected on Facebook, LinkedIn, MyBlogLog and some of the other social networking groups out there. Even Myspace has even generated business for some folks. Where can you Blog from? Anywhere you have an Internet connection. Your desktop at the office or home, your laptop, your palm top, and even your cell phone. The iPhone and TREO are great for mobile Blogging.

Blogging 101 - Advice from some of the best....

Paying It Forward, Active Rain Style - 100 Links You MUST See!

Do You Want to be the "Featured Member" in your Area?

This may very well be the $64,000.00 question! I'm going to let these successful and very well rewarded Bloggers give you the why. For me, it's simple: Networking, Business, SEO, Relationships, Referrals, Education, Advertising, Experience, and the Price! FREE! Better than a website, and much less expensive!

Is Blogging Journaling? - Why Should I Blog?

Does real estate blogging really work?

Blogging For Business

The Top 10 Reasons to Blog on ActiveRain (If you are a mortgage broker)

The Power of Blogging - SER

FIVE WAYS TO MARKET YOUR BLOG!

Rain Tips and Pieces of the Puzzle that are good to know! What Say You?

Do You SEO?

SEO | It's Not all That Complicated

This is the one holding 1000's back from being successful Bloggers!!!

Goal setting for bloggers: how to build a popular blog

10 Effective Steps to Blogging For Business $$$

5 Principles to Creating an Effective Post

How To Become The Expert in an Area

How to write a blog that generates leads

7 Mistakes to Avoid on Active Rain

10 Features of Successful Blogs

Best blogging resources

Top 10 Most Common SEO Mistakes

Please.... No More Wall of Words!

10 Features of Successful Blogs

Top 10 Free SEO Web Tools

Should I post to Professionals, Consumers or Both?

How To Get Your Post Featured and/or Included in Week in Review

Blogging Tools and Help?

ActiveRain Owner's Manual | Book 2

Photos and Graphics and Clip-Art Oh My...

Blogging Tools - ProBlogger

Tech-Know-Babble

20 Google Tools for Your Business

Widgets: How to Add Them to Your Blog

Successful Blogging in the Real Estate Industry

I know that if you have not placed your first post on your Blog yet, there's a chance you just won't ever do it at all. I hope this "kit" will inspire you to better understand and utilize Blogging to your benefit, and your customers. This "Starter Kit" is all you will need to move forward effectively and efficiently on Active Rain, and in the Blogosphere. It's all here, now the question is... are you?

"RainMaker" Special - Signup Here and Get New Member Discount

Posted by Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager on 09/21/2007 06:27 AM

Comments (189)

Blogger Startup Kit in the ActiveRain Channel

activerain community support, activerain, bloggers starter kit, start up kit, help, faq

Originally posted at: Real Estate 2.0 Technology : Blogger Startup Kit

Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: HELP/FAQ (Read 'Purpose Statement' Carefully!)
Post is included in group: Blogging & SEO
Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies

189 Comments on Blogger Startup Kit

SEP

2007

............wow, a plethora of info...........I'm going to use the information in this blog over and over again, Big Thanks!

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm just getting my feet wet in this blogging "thing" and this really answers a lot of questions and gives great direction. Thank you again!

WOW, I've said it before.....You cease to amaze me! This is WONDERFUL and USEFUL information! Thanks Brad!!!

That was intense!!! First I was thinking, before reading some of it, someone is capitalizing on the Rain. Where's the AR infomencial price tag? I think it's already there and free, unless I am wrong. Either way you have got it together. KUDOs!

What a fantastic resource! Thank you so much! This really helps.

Brad, just wanted you to know I was here, I read this on my RSS feed this morning as I subscribe to your other blog. WOW. What a post !!!

I do read my emails to get them out of the way before I come to AR. LOL

Brad,

Thanks for sharing the info for newer members.

Brad, very enlightening. You mention if your new this will help. Even after six months I found your article very helpful and recommend. Thanks for sharing.

Brad - Thank you for putting everything in one place. I know i will frequently refer back to this post.

Brad,

Your Starter Kit is great. Wish you were here when I started. This is a great post for people to bookmark, so they can refer back to it.

Brad - Thats a lot of info my friend. Great post for a newbie but heck they may not come out of thier hole a long time trying to digest all of this. You have got to start somewhere though...this should be an excellent resource for learning the ropes.

Brad,
Where was this post when I first joined?? There is a wealth of information here...for newbies and non-newbies. I will have to bookmark it to make sure I have read everything included here.

Absolutely worthy of a feature post. I've bookmarked it.

I think the topics are so relevant that it doesnt just help new bloggers but older ones as well.

Hey Brad #49 here. (I didn't know you could find that out!) Well you may not hear from me for a while, I've got enough reading material to last me a while.

Great post, it has been featured in Blogging & SEO.

Brad - you continue to blow me away with your posts. I am bookmarking this one - I need a lot more time to go through it all. Your images make your posts not just a learning experience, but a truly enjoyable one. I am glad I stopped by in the morning - it gave me a boost for the day. Thanks.

WOW Brad! This i amazing! I gave it a 5..flagged it....and asked if this could be on the front page of AR. The newbies could really learn from this. Thanks Brad. :)

I like how Andrew said intense. That is a good description. You never fail to amaze me with how you take an idea and create something like this, Brad. When everyone else on the West Coast is nodding off, you are creating another one of your masterpiece blogs.

Great post, and presentation. See what I mean about synergy?

Thanks Brad for bringing all this together in one post. Got it bookmarked for later and am giving you a well-deserved 5.

Brad, you must stay up late putting this kid of stuff together. Thanks.

Brad... Wow, what an abundance of information. My head hurts. Seriously though... a ton of useful stuff for one and all. This one must be featured. Congratulations early!

Brad, The information you collected on this blog is staggering. You don't need to be a newbie to use it, some of these posts I've missed. You are bookmarked AND starred and I do hope you get a feature so EVERYONE sees this! You've got my 5.

Brad, what a wealth of information you have provided above. I don't usually use the bookmark feature but this one MUST be book-marked. Thank you.

I am grateful for this Start UP kit you could market this and make BIG BUCKS.

Wow Wow Wow Wow Wow ~ FANTASTIC post - a FIVE STAR!! thanks for compiling this!

Thanks Brad:

I started reading this and realized I have to spend a lot of time so I bookmarked it and a 5 star. Thanks for such a great and useful post. Not even an hour and a half and so many comments already. Great Job.

What a great compilation of links and suggestions, Brad. Bookmarked for future reference. Definitely worthy of a feature.

Jeff

Brad, I bookmarked this. I will go over it a little bit at a time. In the past when I invited a new blogger to ActiveRain I would send the m your way to learn the basics. Now all I have to do is give them this link.

Thanks for all that you do for this community.

Bill Roberts

Thanks for the Kit. It is great. Everything about Blogging in a nutshell. Thanks much.

Oh WOW!, I loved this post, and the packaging! I bookmarked this for future reference, but you should send this to any new blogger. Thanks and super creative!

Great post, I wish I had this when I first started!!

Brad - thanks for all of this information...I have bookmarked it, rated #5 and now subscribed to your blog. How could I not! This is absolutely priceless what you have given us...defintely a blogging toolbox to keep handy!

Brad-Oh..Happy Day! What a fabulous blog! I've been muddeling through this blogging world and find your start up kit the cats meow! I really want to improve my blogging skills and feel this post is just my ticket! Thanks again.

What a great tool for those who are new to Activrain. Very well written and a great "Tool" for newbies

Brad - This is an excellent resource for both new and not so new bloggers. Thanks for putting this together.

Brad, best post I have seen to date. What a great resource. Thanks

Brad - You write so eloquently!! We love reading your blogs! They are helpful, informative and just a real good read! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and knowledge. Hope you dad is doing well!! Have a good night!

Brad - To say this was an unbelievable effort would be an understatement. I bookmarked, rated this a 5and flagged it for a feature. I've never done all three before! Thanks so much for this awesome information. I will be returning often to go through all the wonderful links and get all the meat from this one. Thank you, thank you, thank you! What an incredible resource!

It is very good i will definately take it into consideration. thank you

Wow Brad ... great resource. Thanks for taking the time to put this together. It's a big help.

Brad, Wow, what a great post! You got a FIVE and bookmarked this one! You're a great resource and benefit to the rest of us here at Active Rain! Thanks for your post!

Everything has already been said Brad but I have to say this one deserves a 10 not a 5. Although you intended this post for newbies, we can all benefit from it, there's so much here that I will have to leave this for a day when I can dig in to each of the links, great job!

Hi, Brad!

Fantastic post full of great information for anybody. Thank you for spending tremendous amount of time putting this together. Now, you have to respond to a lot of appreciative comments left on this blog. That will be several 10-12 PM shifts for you. : ) Kidding aside, truly helpful and much appreciated--should be a 'must read' for the Newbie Group.

SEP

2007

Excellent primer. Thanks for the effort. I've been blogging for a little while now but really could use this to advance.

Brad to the rescue. Again! Thanks for this great 'starter kit"!!!

BA,

This should be placed on the NY Times best sellers list! :)

Thank you so much for the info . As a new blogger I need all the tips I can get

Thank you, I am still learning and still a Newbie so I know this will help me improve.

Brad, you should get credit for a couple of dozen posts, you put so much information in this one!

Hi Brad,
I have not read all the comments so someone else might have said the same thing but here goes and I hope the AR Gods are taking notes. I think this should be a must read of every new member! Perhaps a quiz afterwards?? Wait, they might insist I take it too, so X that.

O.K., I have to bookmark this one!

Brad,

Only 1 word can be used to describe this post: Powerful! Surely, it will help all of us.

Very, very clever Brad. Your willingness to help the blogging community is very appreciated.

What an awesome collection of great information all on one log!! Thanks for taking the time to compile this infomation.

Conrats on the feature!!

Brad - what a great list of blogging tips for success - you should know - you'd become an expert in it. Congrats on the feature

Congratulations on your star! A raving fan,

Brad --- Sign me up for the starter kit! Do I get a set of ginsu knives with my order??

Brad,

Thank you very much. I had to bookmark this and come back later as I was getting lost in the links :) :) I just love how you put it together, simply, and easy to understand........

Hi Brad,

This is a keeper for sure! You are the techno-geekiest! :) But in a good way of course. Thanks for another great share!

Brad, As a new blogger, I sure appreciate this. Thank you! If I could give it a "10" I would.

Deb

AWESOME Brad, so much great info...I don't know where to begin--

Thanks!

Faith LaRosse

EXACTLY what I was looking for!!!!! Thank you so much for the information. Now to start plowing through it......................

Congratulations on the well-deserved feature. I have a list of posts to share with new invitees who join ActiveRain, and I'll have to compare it with this. And then I'll have to make sure I read all of them myself!

Thanks for your time and effort of putting this incredible resource together

Brad,

You do walk the talk. "create great content" i know this post cost you at least an hour of your time. Appreciate it.

Now THAT is not your average blog post... thanks for the information.

Hi Brad...

Love the idea and the content on this idea! And ~ I'm starring this one up for sure. Thanks for the wealth of great information and all for my favorite price, free! Thanks a million for your work on this blog...

Brad,

You have another raving fan! This one is in Tennessee and can't wait to read your next post. You are a true gift here in the rain. We are all spoiled to have you!

I have learned alot from this post, I thank you for compiling this information. I am starting to implement what I can, it is not what you know, but what you implement.

John Thomas - Citizens Lending Group - http://www.DelawareMortgageLoans.net

Wow Brad! This is a very valuable post - I gave you a "5" and bookmarked it for future reference. Thanks!

Thank you Brad! This is incredible. I am just about to post my very first ever blog. Talk about being new! Thank you for this wonderful reference gift. 5 stars!

Sincerely,

Vicki Vannoy

What an investment on your part and what a grateful student (newbie) I am.

Wonderful post....so rich and good all around.

Thanks!

Jeanean

Brad, Awesome post. I need this kind of startup kit. It looks like it has lots of useful information for those wanting to begin blogging. Im having difficulty blogging and i think if really concentrate and read whats on your post i will be a grand master in no time. A++++post.

Brad:

I wish I could have graded it a 10.

I would not call myself a newbie but, I find it rich in information.

Wow the time and effort you put into this is amazing Great graphics and links. A definite 5

I will definitely be back here many times I am sure.

Hi Brad - what a terrific post this is! You've put together a fabulous resource post with this one - everything to get going and stay going all in one place. I love how you used the 'who, what, when, where, how' in this.

Just terrific!! I've bookmarked this to help me - good for many people, even those who are not new to the blogging world.

Ann

Hi Brad, A superb How To from A to Z. Well done and this is worth not only being featured but should be made reference to for every new member. In fact, when ActiveRain sends out their welcome e-mail, this should be with it. It might need a couple revisions to be certain it contains everything they would want out , but as far as I can tell, this is the manual.

Maybe you could expand all the links, print this ,copyright as a published book and sell it. Give credit wherever you need to in the bibliography section but this is so well done.

Brad - This rocks! I'm just starting to take this blogging thing seriously (better late and all...). This is a tremendous resource. If you're this thorough in researching a post (to give away as a service!) you must be an awesome title guy! Thank you.

I have not abandoned my post!

OK...maybe I have a little! LOL! I have been practicing the art of "Multitasking" all week long. I truly appreciate all my fellow ActiveRainer's compliments, support, and comments. There is a lot of AR "link love" here in this post, I do hope you can find the time to click some of these links and support these Bloggers the same as you have me. They were all written by Active Rain members. (except for one)

I want to thank all of you, for adding such value and credibility to this blog. You are the BEST NETWORK of Professionals and Friends "The Escrow Guy" could ever be a part of. THANK YOU!! B-)

Wow Brad! You have have out done yourself! This is fabulous information and well deserving of a 10 if the ratings only went that high! This is great for newbies and oldies alike... THANK YOU!

I give you 2 thumbs up!

Wow. Great information. I just love all the info you posted. It took great thought and a lot of time. Thank you.

SEP

2007

Great post. Thanks for pulling all of that together.

Brad - You did a terrific job of laying this out for newbies, and even for veterans. I know you put a lot of work into this one. I gave it a "5". Great job!

Brad, Thanks for this super post. The resources here certainly give us lots of expert advice on blogging. This shows a lot of work on your part. I appreciate your efforts to share this wealth of information with us. Now I have to go, I have a lot of reading to do......

Great post - thank you for sharing it with the Active Rain community.

Keep'em coming!

Brad - WOW! I will be referring to your post again and again as I am often stumped and struggle with this blogging stuff. I am optimistic that I can use this info to solve all my problems (well, at least my blogging ones) Thanks!

SEP

2007

Thank you for taking time to give us detailed information. I have bookmarked it and will refer to it often.

so much great information - I too am bookmarking this so that I can read everything in all of the links

Brad, you absolutely out performed yourself this time (if that is at all possible). I have to rate you a 5. Thanks for sharing.

Brad: I've been at this blogging thing since June. I didn't have a clue, I mean talk about clue LESS! I'm so glad I discovered your post. I will go through every single link you mentioned. I am like a sponge trying to soak up all the good knowledge I can. People like you make AR a success. I didn't even know how to look up the most subscribed until your blog. I learn something every single day on AR.

SEP

2007

HOLY SMOKES! What can I say that has not been said already.

I'll be back in touch next year when I get done reading all the resources you have provided! I need to "hole up" in a mountain cabin for about 5 days and do nothing but attend "Blogging 101" school!

Thanks a million for all this great information!

Hi Brad, This is one heck of a post - bookmarked and a definite "5".
Could I ask you to add one more item to the list. I did post for help on this but
it got lost in the crowd. How to properly set up the RSS feed on one's website.
The way mine came out is the entire post not just a short synoptic paragraph.
I'm not sure what I did wrong, but it would sure be nice to have it right here in
one very helpful place. Many thanks

Wow, You really know a lot about this stuff!

Gail - there are many RSS Feeders out there, in fact if you look up at the URL of any page, you"ll see the icon. Just click on it and it will take you to the URL that allows you to create a subscription to the RSS feed.

If you look at my widgets page, you can use any of the sample RSS Feed widgets for FREE! You can place or pull any Blog you desire to any website or other location you choose. You can also check out TechKnowBabble to see other Blogs that have great information regarding RSS feeds, SEO etc.

Let me know if this helps! If not, give me a ring or shoot me an email. :-)

Holly Cow!! Brad, there is so much info there, I am going to be up all night going through it all. Thanks for your willingness to share, and the time you put into this one!

SEP

2007

Brad, Thank you for another awesome post!! Rated you a 5 on this one and I bookmarked it. Take care

Had to bookmark this one. Great info.

OCT

2007

I just joined active rain and I have never blogged, I will try to digest this info a piece at a time. Thank you for sharing this info.

DEC

2007

Wow......I am nearly speechless at what you have done!

This should be required reading for new bloggers. Amazing effort, I will be sharing this, thank you Brad!

Thanks everyone for all the wonderful comments and support here. As many of you know, it gets harder to keep up with all th comments we get on some of our posts, but that's not to say how much I appreciate your taking the time to read and comment on my posts.

If this helps any members save some time and reduces the learning curve, then mission is accomplished. If you do have questions or need help, you always know where to find me and how to reach me! Thanks again for all the love and support here!

AR members are more than just that, they are great friends and family! :-)

I will go back through this post and see if there are any questions or concerns that need to be addressed or replied to. Thanks again to you all!

Once again, Brad, you are THE MAN! I thought I was going to have some free time tomorrow, but you just gave me some major homework! Thank you for taking the time to help us all improve our blogs! We've got a foot of snow arriving tomorrow night...this will give me something to do while I'm snowed in!

Barbara - stay warm, get a hot cup of cocoa or java, put a Blog Log on the fire, and enjoy going through some of these links! Happy Holidays!! :-)

FEB

2008

Thanks so much for a boatload of much needed information. I have been putting off starting my own blog and now I have at least something to start with.Lots of reading to do.

Wow Brad! A couple of weeks ago you welcomed me to the AR family and added a number of "help you get started" links to posts you've created. I am BLOWN away. I hed saved the info to read later and just had time to look at it.

Thank you!

Howdy Brad

I had not read this before.

What a fine blogger startup kit.

You have put many links here

that I have not read the info on

as of yet. I'll be taking a ride over to them.

Have a good one

Dale

FEB

2008

Jamie - welcome, you go girl!! :-) Read, Read, Read, then write, write, write! It will benefit you in so many ways, you have no idea!! :-)

Kathy - welcome again, I'm glad to see you making your rounds out here. Too much great stuff out here, you'll see. Just keep making your rounds and don't forget to stop back and say hi once in a while! :-)

You're Welcome, welcomed, and welcome...always!!

Howdy Dale - glad you liked this one too! :-) Take your time on this one, there's a ton a good stuff from other members here! Thanks for poppin by!

FEB

2008

Brad I am fairly ne to AR. Love your posts. They are so packed with information. I have to admit that I am overwhelmed but well I will be ok. Little by little I will get to know what I am doing.

Tina - take your time, you're welcome back to any of my posts anytime. Learn as you go, but get the basics first so you don't have to go back and correct yourself. Once you are setup, an your Blog is ready, all you have to do is write. Then write some more. Things will just start happening for you after that! Best of luck to you, here if you need anything at all. :-)

Great info! I'm gonna have to keep coming back to this one to learn and learn. I have to say though, as i was reading this, i'm wondering: what is the relationship between business generated (links, referrals, etc.) and blog subscriptions?

FEB

2008

Alex - Blog subscriptions here on AR means that anyone you subscribe to will be on your main dashboard as they post. You will not be notified, they just show up in the most recent order posted. Links are referrals, and business generated comes from the time and effort you put in here. :-)

MAR

2008

Thanks for all the information. I think my head may explode.

MAR

2008

Jeff - this is one of those posts that may very well do that! LOL!~ But it hurts so good! Just start with one line at a time and only bite off what you feel you can chew. You'll come back to this in a month or so, and know everything here...just wait and see. :-)

MAR

2008

Brad, I'm new to AR and have been exploring, blogging, commenting, exploring... you get the picture. I continue to be amazed each time I come across one of your tutorials. I find myself bouncing from place to place, attempting to absorb, bookmark, subscribe and learn what you have to teach. It's incredible the wealth of knowledge you have to offer. Much of it is still over my head, but as I practice, I'm able to come back to your tutorial with an experiential understanding that I value greatly. Thank you for all that you do for this community and for me.

Man, you are a machine!, How on earth do you put out these amazing posts and have time to do anything else! Do you have one of those Kathy Lee Gifford sweatshops pumping these things out for $2 a day? Magic Elves?

MAR

2008

Bo - everything I have learned here, I learned the same way you are. I just sped up the process a bit by taking a lot of notes and then applied what I learned everyday. Then I just Blog about it and share. Pretty simple really, glad you're enjoying your visits to my Blog. Come by anytime, you're always welcome here!! :-)

Rob - you crack me up! Did you see the date on this? hahaha! I post about once or twice a week. With posts like this one, I'm sure you see why! LOL!~~ :-))))

MAR

2008

Oh my - thanks for all your time putting this together! I just added it to my favorites. :)

MAR

2008

Laurie -there is a ton of great info here, glad you found it to be useful, I still come back to this one as a resource for others and for myself! Thanks! :-)

MAR

2008

And yet I bookmark another Brad Andersohn Blog for reference, and this time there are references within the reference. Thanks for all the help, I hope I'll be able to return the favors one day.

Thanks Brad...me being very new at this...this will be very helpful. I appreciate the post!!!

MAR

2008

JoEllen - you already have, thanks fr the nice comment! Here to help if you ever need! Thanks! :-)

Patty - Welcome to Active Rain, the best place on the planet for your new blogging experience. The resources and members here are mind-boggling! Let me know if you ever need any assistance. :-)

You have givin out some very valuable infomation I will put it to good use thanks alot---Bart

Bart - I'm glad to hear you will find this information useful. Pay it forward by sharing valuable information back to the AR community as you see fit. Thanks! :-)

MAR

2008

"the next great addition to the ActiveRain team and family"

Congratulations! You are well deserving of such an honor. You bring your skills and offer so much opportunity for others.

Thank you!

You are going to make a great addition to the AR staff.

Great information

Thank you for taking the time to put this together. Free information is terrific.

Brad - there's just no keeping up with you! See how long this post is generating comments - this one is courtesy of Bob Stewart's post today. You know I enjoyed meeting you and always enjoy your posts.

MAR

2008

Chrystina - thank you for your warm welcome to me joining AR. I feel very fortunate to not only be a part of an incredible staff and company, but blessed to be surrounded by members like yourself. Thanks for your support and know that I am here to offer you that same support in return....anytime!! :-)

Daniel - the information may be FREE, but how you use it can very well generate revenue for you and your business. Looking forward to all your efforts and contributions here at AR. Thanks my friend! :-)

Sharon - the feeling is mutual and I sure appreciate all your contributions and support here as well. Looking forward to seeing you again soon! Always an honor and pleasure! :-)

Brad - This is an amazing resource on how, why, where of blogging. I now have no more excuses for not doing. Thanks!

MAR

2008

Cindy - I'm behind ya all the way!! :-) It's easy for us to make excuses, it's hard work to be successful. :-)

MAR

2008

I just wanted to stop in and let you know that I value the information provided in this blog. I have included you in my thank you tosupportive active rainers.

Team Chacon (Seth) - thank you for your appreciation and gratitude. I'll head over and check out your post! Thanks!

MAR

2008

Holy Crap, Brad...I'm overwhelmed now ! Looks like I'll be sittin on this blog for quite awhile absorbing like a sponge and yes, I bookmarked this site !

Doug - anytime anyone finds Crap to be Holy, I'd have to agree, they are overwhelmed! LOL!~ No worries my friend, this is one of those posts I did that took a few days to put together, it BETTER take you a few days to pull it apart. It's like cinnamon pull-apart, just enjoy that one bite at a time! :-))))) Have fun ...

APR

2008

Hi Brad - this is much needed info. I am so glad Candis Hidalgo listed it in her latest blog as an interesting post. Great post again! Thank you so much! Terrie

Terrie - glad you found some value in this one, it took me forever to create! LOL!~ Thanks be to Candis for the mention and getting you here, guess I better get her a check in the mail! :-)

APR

2008

I cannot express how happy I am to have found this blog! I will delve into the information in great detail. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! :~}

Thanks for the post Brad. I have bookmarked it so that I can return to it often. Thanks again.

APR

2008

Tiffany - you expressed it just fine, thanks, and you are very welcome. You will find many other great posts and meet some wonderful people here in the rain! Enjoy all of it! :-))

Neal - you're welcomed anytime! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

Hey Brad! Instead of "leave it to Beaver" I say "Leave it to Brad!" You are so good at what you do, I could read just you!

APR

2008

Vickie - Awwwh Shucks!! Thanks! Glad you are finding this information on my Blog useful. You're welcome here anytime, Always glad to have visitors and friends like you!! :-)

JUN

2008

This is a great one for a couple of "newbies" I invited to AR!

Tracy - I hope it will be helpful to your guests. Thanks for sharing and inviting others to the rain. :-)

JUL

2008

great! Thank you Brad for all of your diligence - certainly helps all of us out and improves the community as a whole!

JUL

2008

This is an example of one post that is so jam packed with useful information and links that it can occupy you for many hours. I'm not new to ActiveRain but I am continually amazed at the level of edgy SEO and blogging techniques that peers share. I guess you would consider me a newbie blogger as I am contributing more (commenting) vs. soaking up (reading) the tips and posts. I'm thankful to have stumbled across your link and blog just a couple of weeks ago. Thanks for the email link today.

JUL

2008

Mike - thanks a lot. We all collectively make the AR community what it is, and it is a great place to be. There is so much more value here than just a social network and a place to blog. Thanks for taking the time to comment on so many of my posts, seems I have been following you around on my Blog these past couple days, now it's time for me to have you chasing me around on your blog for a bit! lol~ Have a great 4th of July.

Ronda - Aloha Nui Loa, and Mahalo for your kind comment. You are part of the AR Ohana now! We all look out for one another and people helping people is what I love most about the "rain." There is a ton of info in this post, I hope you're able to use. There is great content all over the rain, so enjoy your cyber travels here, it's great you're part of the community. Aloha! ;-)

AUG

2008

Brad- Jeff Belonger left a link to this post in a post he just published and I'm glad he did. You wrote this a few weeks before I joined AR and it was a few weeks before I stumbled upon your blog after that...so I missed this one. I've bookmarked it because there's soo much info here. Thanks for taking the time to put it all together.....I have to admit I smiled at the "Copywrite" tag at the bottom. Can you believe how much change you've gone through in a year?!

Matt - this post is like the energizer bunny, it just keeps going and going and going...it is pretty crazy all the change I've seen in this past year. I'm glad Jeff mentioned this post, that was very kind of him, and I'm glad you made it by and commented. Thanks. :-))

OK...I just commented that I was trying one new item a day and then i find this post. I've added it to my favorites and plan on looking at more than one new thing a day. so much to choose from and I still spend most of my time selling real estate!

Thanks again! Russell

Russell - I feel like I'm following you around my Blog!! lol~ If you click on my name below, you'll find a categorized list of posts I've setup for new members. You can search for different topics of interest, it might save you some time and help you with some areas you'd like to know more about. If the topics is NOT there, let me know and I'll write about it. :-))

SEP

2008

I just sent this to one of my assistants who is just getting started.

SDSS - Can you sign your name to your comments? I feel bad and very impersonal typing thanks to SDSS. In any case, thanks, I appreciate that, and I hope they find it helpful. :-) Have a great Labor Day Holiday! :-)

SEP

2008

This is what I needed to keep me busy the rest of the day. I appreciate your valuable information that you provide to us.

Being ne to the whole blogging business, this really helps. I appreciate to vital info that you give us on a regular basis.

SEP

2008

What are ActiveRain Channels? Just getting ready to post a blog and I don't have a clue what that is or the effect of checking the box.

SEP

2008

Brad this is some great information as usual. I finally got my personal name at the top of the google pages.. now I just need to do the same for my business websites.

Paul - glad you are finding this useful, this is an older post, but it's still going... haha!

Scott - anything for a fellow title guy.. As a newbie here, just let me know if you have any questions. :-)

Terry - (Channels) that will be my next post. We'll also be covering that on RainRadio this thursday. I saw you asked the question over on the other post...duly noted, thanks! :-) I'll have a post out for you this week. It's all about targeting and categorizing with the new look of AR coming shortly.

Thomas - you're definitely in the right place to do it. Congrats on getting your name up there, that's the one thing people will remember most and type into google when they're looking for you. The rest is keyword and title tags.

Thanks Brad. Just trying to utilize all available avenues to get this stuff figured out! Whatever will I do with my time when I have :~)

Wow! Great information. Thanks for posting.

SEP

2008

Terri - use your time effectively, there is a lot to figure out so concentrate more on just writing and getting great content out to your readers and audience. The rest will come in that time you mention. :-)

Daisy - just curious, what part of it was great information? Was there a particular area you found more helpful than the others? Is there an area that we might make better? What did you like best about the startup kit?

SEP

2008

So many sources, thanks. Will have to bookmark it.

DEC

Hi Brad, Wow. So much to learn. I have my cup of cocoa. Now to start pouring over these links. By the way, I really like the recent AR improvments- the colored response is so pleasing to the eye :~)

DEC

Marian - I like that yours are in Blue, but not sure I am cool with mine always being yellow, guess it will take some getting used to. :-))

JAN

Gees Brad, It'll take me forever and a day to go through all these resources. I checked out, http://activerain.com/blogsview/24342/1-Features-of-Successful and learned some things. Thanks :)

FEB

Question. Just wrote my first (active rain) post, but when I went to post it the only options were members, associates or draft; public wasn't an option. Further I could only select one category. Am I missing something?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Alastair - you have the basic AR free membership. If you want to post public, you'll need to setup your AR Rainmaker acct. Here's a link if you're interested in doing that. AR RainMaker Account

FEB

GPTFS :)

Thanks, this will be very helpfull! When will my profile picture show up on my comments is what I am trying to figure out.

Brad, You write too much good stuff :)

Brad,

Thank you so much for putting so much good information together in one spot!!!

Brad

This information is going to project me to new heights. Of course, it is going to take me a few weeks to digest it all. I believe your informational blog contains the most comprehensive data put out so far; so for many of us that do not blog frequently, there should be no more excuses. Thank you.

It's good to see this post featured again in today's email newsletter. This post is one of those entries that is a great resource to bookmark. :)

FEB

Sheri - your photo will show up in the comments when your reach a minimum of 10,000 points.

Victor - thanks, your content and contributions are nothing short of "value-added" as well. :-)

Earleene - the thanks really goes to all our members, there is so much great content on this network, I am just one contributor that trys to add to that awesome mix. We are quickly approaching 1,000,000 posts on ActiveRain. This is a huge library and resource of valuable information, knowledge, and experience.

Isaac - thank you for that, and you're right, there are no excuses, unfortunately, there are those that will still try to find them no matter what. :-)

Colleen - I was wondering why I was getting a slough of comments on this post today, now I know. lol~